Easter Weekend is Here!

Obviously I haven't updated in a while. But everytime I have something to say lately, I'm either too tired/lazy or busy with other things and I've been trying not to get distracted as much by the blog which takes up a bit of time when I write in it. Well, it looks like I already mentioned something about all this in my last entry about not getting distracted and whatnot. So I guess I've been doing pretty well with it. Moving on!

This weekend is Easter weekend. I'm still at school right now and should be getting picked up sometime this afternoon. Until then I have a ton of drawing homework that's due Tuesday! On top of that, which is due MONDAY, I have 2D sketches that are gonna be getting critiqued. And of course 2D must be done in the most tedious, unnecessary way possible. What else awaits me as far as work this upcoming week? Let's see... Art history test, 3D, lots of research for RLC, and probably more drawing and 2D. And I'm already sick from not getting enough sleep this past week! Why can't private schools just be cool once in a while and aknowledge the religious holidays other than Christmas and Thanksgiving (which isn't even a religious holiday)? Ok now I'm just venting. Sorry.

In other news, last night was Hawkapella's spring semester concert. I got there probably earlier than I should have, but everytime I'm on time there are no good seats left. So I was there pretty early, but I brought some drawing to work on. At some point I saw CJ's parents, and it was good to see them again. We talked a bit before the show started. They told me how they were staying the night before taking CJ back with them. And I guess they are gonna have Thai food for Easter and see some dancing and stuff. Sounds like fun!
So then the show got going. Opening for Hawkapella were the Whims of Weaton College in Mass. They were an all girls acapella group. They were amazing! At the end they even sang "Jesse's Girl" which you would think should be sung by guys because of the lyrics, but then they totally pulled it off!

Finally, Hawkapella went on! They opened with "Mr. Roboto." The choriography was histerical! Let's see... they did the men song as always, with some new jokes and verses. They brought back "Prince Ali" because of popular demand I guess. Yay for popular demand! That was one that I always wanted to hear again, too! They did "Jump, Jive, and Wail" with Dave McWilliams doing his first solo. For it being his first time, he did totally awesome! And the guys who did the solo instrument parts were funny! Not funny bad! They did awesome too, it was just funny how they portrayed the sounds of horns and such! There were many other songs they did. They ended with a brand new 90's pop medley, starting with "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, then cutting to Spice Girls' "Wannabe," then Britney Spears... i think it was "Hit Me Baby One More Time." The whole night was just crazy fun!!! Standing ovation and everything! So for the encore, they sang Jenny (8675309). Such a good show! I can't wait till next year!

So yeah... Not much else to say. Lucky for you if you're reading this! I'm off to eat and maybe get some work done! ttyl

Peace and love! And have a good Easter!

Happy Thursday!

Yea so... today is Thursday. I could have gone to bed early last night, but I didn't. Don't ask me why because I'm not really sure. I think I need to turn my computer off completely one of these days and put it away so that I'll be too lazy to take it back out. Then maybe I'd get something constructive done, like work. And then maybe I would go to bed earlier, instead of checking facebook, reading everyone's away meassage, talking to the still-awake people on AIM, and... updating my blog. I even get distracted by my music. I mean, c'mon! I can't get anywork done if I don't have good music playing, right? So anyways... today before 3D I had the perfect opportunity to take a shower and take a nap. So I got back from drawing, took a shower, and started working on a playlist for my mom. so yea, i got about a half hour nap instead of the hour i could've had. But right now I'm exhausted and need a nap before seeing hawkapella and some other groups. Then it's time for more work. Love you all! ttyl

Peace and love!

BTW The best part about Thursday is the Friday after it!

"In open fields of wild flowers,
she breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daisies and the roses
in no simple language
Someday she'll understand the meaning of it all
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close as a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,
'I want to fall in love with You' "
-Jars of Clay

I want to fall in His arms, but I'm still thanking Him for the daisies and the roses. I hope I can understand the meaning of it all someday. I'm so glad I became a Christian (again) because I never would have been introduced such awesome music otherwise! Oh, and having Him in my life is pretty sweet, too, even though I forget sometimes just how impotant it is to aknowledge everything He does for me every single day.

Anyways, so my day...
Well, yesterday was Monday. Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty crazy. Monday I had 2D, Art History, nap, English, 3D work, and a late night of drawing homework. Today (or yesterday now really) I had Drawing with a harsh critique, Issues in Art Making Lecture, went to talk to my advisor about classes and an honors scholarship, and 3D. Then dinner with Hannah (Super-Roomie!) and a loooooooong nap. About 5 hours I think. Then prayer meeting. So... yeah. That's my week so far, in a nutshell. Tomorrow (today?) I am taking part in Chris' acoustics study. I guess I have to speak into a microphone, reading some sentences off a paper, for about a half hour or so, and then I get paid like ten dollars. Sweet deal, right? Although, I'm trying to think of something good I can do with the money because I feel like it's practically stealing. I mean, getting paid to read out loud? I'll think of something... or not. whatever.

peace and love.

Now Listening to...

"High and Dry" by Radiohead

I'm NOT a Lesbian!

Just for the record- and this thought was brought to my attention today by a friend- I am not "leaning the other way" in terms of sexual orientation. I am straight and always have been. Sure, I may have had a bit of o hard time with guys in the past, with break-ups and all, but that doesn't mean I am giving up on guys entirely! I am taking a break from guys fo a while, but for the time being, I plan on being just a happy, single, straight, Christian girl. So the descriptions of the girls from one of my last entries is purely complimentary. And most of them were my friends so... I'm NOT A LESBIAN! I don't hate homosexuals either, as some of you may think as you read this. I'm just not one myself.

Peace and love kids!

Now Listening to... (Really awesome song!)

"I Hope You Dance" by Ronan Keating (this version anyways...I know some chick sings it, too.)

and before that I was listening to "Wise Men" by James Blunt. I had never heard it before, but it sounded pretty good.

My Very First Opera!

I saw my very first opera tonight. It was neat! Lots of very good singing. First, I went to dinner with Chels, where we sat with Dave, CJ, Sarah, and some other people. They were all going to the show, too. CJ had told me everyone was dressing up, so I figured out my outfit beforehand. Chels and I left dinner a bit early so we could check out the opening for the sculpture dept. at the Silpe Gallery. Then we headed back to the room to get ready. Chels decided to join me which was cool cuz she had a better idea of where the right auditorium was. So we got there and met CJ and them, but no one was dressed up except for Dave. So I definitly felt over dressed, but it didn't matter because I got to wear really cute shoes and a skirt and stuff. Woot! There were two separate performances as pat of the same show, and the time between them was like intermission.
The first performance takes place in a radio station from the 30's and is about this woman and her maid who take in a handsome beggar man named Bob. They convince him to stay for a long time because they think he's an escaped convict and don't want to get in trouble for hiding a fugitive. They end up stealing money and alcohol for him, thinking it'll make him want to stay longer, when really he has no idea what's going on and just wants to leave. I won't give away the ending just in case you decide to see it. My friends PJ and Margaret were in it. They did a great job!
The second one is a western theme. It's supposed to be a trial taking place or something. And actually I didn't pay as much attention to what was going on in that one. I was more interested in the movement of the actors and dancers and what my friends were doing. Morgan was the Indian maiden. She was so cute with the long black braids on her head and the cool boot-like things. Kim was the minister's wife. She had this bonnet on, and her face was so pretty and pure looking. Then there was Jon Pardo who was one of the random westerner guys. He totally looked the part with his facial hair unshaved, and he even had the funny task of throwing a rope with a noose over a fake wooden rafter. It took him several tries, but that was the point. He pulled it off really well. And I really liked the costumes of the line dancers, with the feathered hair pieces and the bright pink ruffled dresses with black trim. It reminded me of me and my friends when we dressed up like that for a picture at Six Flags during our senior trip.

Anyways, after that, I went back home (to my room) and finally took the shoes OFF! *sigh of relief*... for my feet. Then a happy shower and a clean, fresh shave for my legs, which always feels good afterwards! Now, I'm just distracting myself further from getting work done... as usual. But hey, I didn't do too bad today! I got some of my interview typed up. And Craiggy is back so Chelsea is super happy! Yay! And he brought back brownies for us, but of course I can't have them yet still. Oh yeah... dunno if I mentioned my ridiculous idea of giving up chocolate for Lent. I guess it's a good sacrafice since I really LOVE chocolate!
Okay! Now I'm just babbling! I wanted this entry to be short and sweet and only about my first opera experience, but I guess it's just impossible for me to write a short entry. Unless of course I'm just updating with a song that I'm listening to.

Peace and love kids!!

Good Friday! Not the religious holiday one...

So Chelsea and I went on our picnic today. We walk with my friend Lauren to Gengras for sandwiches and wraps or whatever, then were about to start walking a great distance to Elizabeth Park, but Lauren offered to drive us before she headed home. So we took the offer, figuring we would only walk back instead. When we got there, we wandered through the beauty of the outdoors, appreciating things that most people probably wouldn't even notice, like this one pinecone! It was great! And there were ponds and ducks and geese and birds and such. We found a nice corner of the park where there wouldn't be people too close to us, and we would be near these awesome looking tees. Seriously! They were some of the coolest trees I've erver seen!

Like this one in particular had such a strange trunk, the way it came out of the ground with the grass sort of starting to grow up the roots, just slightly, and the massive width and parts of it came out way more than others so there were all these ditchy looking spaces. And that was just the trunk! The rest of the tree was so tall and the braches extended out toward the sky so beautifully! We laid out the blanket and lied down on it. Looking up at the tree was such a treat, with the branched stretching across the bright blue, cloudless sky.
And there was a little woodpecker high above us in that tree, probably looking for bugs. It just so happened that everytime he pecked, bits of bark would fall off and come drifting our way. We got hit a couple times, but then he left.

We were eating Reece's Pieces at first, called Craig to leave a message for him, and talked some. As we ate our food, I noticed two elderly women sitting on a bench not too far from us. They seemed to be looking at us and discussing something, and they kept smiling in our direction. It got me thinking. I wondered if Chelsea and I would be like them some day, two women who have been friends for a long time and go sit on park benches and reminisce about being young together, or recalling their first encounter with each other back in college. Actually, I have no idea what their relationship was, but I sort of made up the story in my head as I observed them.

"Hey, Chels. Do you think that'll be us someday?" I asked her, referring to the two women.
"I was just thinking that," she laughed.

This led to our own conversation about the future, like starting families and having kids, how we'd visit each other and be aunts to each other's kids. Stuff like that. It was fun!
We also saw this cute couple on a picnic, occasionally kissing sweetly, then spooning later. There were also a young woman and a little boy on the road area. They seemed to be a mother and her son. They were so cute! He was riding one of those battery powered (or maybe electric) quads for kids. His mom rode around on it first to show him how, which was quite funny considering her legs were much too long for it. She then rode on one of those electric scooters, following him down the roadway one direction. Then they would return some time later, back in our view, and the son would be following the mom. We discussed that, too, about how cute they were.

There was also a cute family of a mom, a dad, and a baby boy. At one point he ran out into the street and mom had to get him. We said something about how our kids weren't gonna watch a lot of tv, or go the on computer all the time, but instead, we'd go on family picnics or go for walks.
Then at some point, we each had a leaf and were lying down, facing each other. We just started having a leaf battle, like a little sword fight without the blades. That went on for a good few seconds until we saw how corny it was and started laughing histerically!

Before we started the return journey, we played a bit of frisbee, barefoot, of course! Then we found a totally amazing creepy-looking, should-be-in-a-scary-movie tree! It's branches were all hanging down, touching the ground. We also found a pretty bathroom with flowers painted on the ceiling. On the way home, we looked at all the old houses and picked out all our favorite features, relating certain things to art. Every aspect of the day was amazing! From the weather, to the park, to the picnic, to the people, to the journey home. We got Fruit smoothies from Zia when we got back, too.
And everyone was outside enjoying the weather, playing Frisbee, listening to music, and just hanging out! It was incredible to see! To top off the day, we went to Bible study, and we ended up having it outside in the courtyard of Regents! Awesomeness! From there we went to dinner, where we watched CJ juggle two and two halves of an apple...only the halves were kinda together because... uh, nevermind. It was just cool! So then everyone decided to go to the orchestra concert at Lincoln Theatre. I headed back to my room first, then met up with them. Chels and I left a bit early, being tired from the long day, even though we hadn't done that much.

So anyways! That was my spectacular day! The day that completely cancelled out every bad thing about the week behind it! Wow! sorry this is so long again! Oh, well! Have a super day!

Peace and love!

A Picnic for a Field Trip!

Wow! Three entries in two days!
I am excited about today! I am supposed to be on my way to New York City right now with the Art School, but apparently Chelsea had been feeling down to and didn't feel like going on the trip. So we decided last night that we weren't going to go. Instead, we are going to take a very long walk and go on a picnic in a nearby park. As guilty as I feel about not going to NY to see museums like a good little artist, I would rather just not wander around the city all day without a plan of where to go. I'm sure I could have fun, but at the same time, I really don't want to miss Bible study because I missed Church last week and just really need to be with IVCF again to feel more...better. haha Anyways, I'm so excited about today! It's beautiful outside, I can do some work, go to art history(unless he cancels class due to the fact that more than half his classes are on the field trip), go on a picnic, go for a long walk, spend time with IVCF again, and just relax!

Something else good: I was talking to CJ online last night and already I feel pretty much completely over it. Everything seems to be back to normal, and I can still probably joke around with him and try to lick his face and stuff. lol Awesome! Wow! I feel so good! I'm gonna get of this computer now and enjoy the day!

Peace and love kids!

Now Listening to...

"Lonely People" by Jars of Clay

Post Spring Break

"Porcelain Heart"
Broken heart one more time
Pick yourself up, why even cry
Broken pieces in your hands
Wonder how you'll make it whole

[Chorus:]You know, you pray
This can't be the way
You cry, you say
Something's gotta change
And mend this porcelain heart of mine

Someone said "A broken heart
Would sting at first then make you stronger"
You wonder why this pain remains
Were hearts made whole just to break

Creator only You take brokenness
And create it into beauty once again

-Barlow Girl


I like that song, like most of the songs by Barlow Girl. I've kinda been singing this one in particular to myself lately. I guess I know why. Well, as some of you know, I was going out with this amazing guy, CJ. Yeah... He broke up with me the other night. But I'm okay with it... I think. At least I should be. I mean I'm not mad about his decision in anyway, but I really wasn't ready for it, and I didn't expect it so soon. I hadn't really picked up on any tension between us, but it is what it is. He's an amazing guy though, so it'll be cool to still be friends.

And a couple things that came of it are that I can focus just on school... and God. And I gained a close friend.
Actually, I've been feeling really strange lately, not like myself. I had an amazing Spring break with my friends and family the first part of the week. Then I had a blast in PA hanging out with CJ and his family. But even then, I dunno...

I love IVCF, of couse, but I can't help but going through these thoughts lately. Sometimes I'm like "How can God NOT exsist?! He's so awesome and everything is great even with the bad!"
But then other times I start to feel like I did a long time ago, before I was saved...when I stopped believing in God altogether. I don't want that to happen again! I need to believe so I can get through my days, especially the bad ones, knowing that I have a purpose and that God's always got a plan. Actually, I feel like crying right now, just for writing that. But I can't figure out this slump I'm in. Maybe it's just all the stress I've been feeling.

Speaking of stress and crying... Yesterday in my 2D class, the morning right after the night Cj broke up with me, I was doing okay. I was still a bit shook up from that, but I hadn't cried or anything, and I thought I was fine. I guess it hadn't completely sunk in. So, anyway... I had breakfast with some of my classmates before class, not talking much, just thinking. Then we got to the studio after having joked around and laughing on the way. Then I started thinking about all the work I had coming up: a 3D project due the next day along with 6 sketches for the next project, deciding on a good tool to do for drawing class the next morning, finding someone to interview on Vietnam for a big paper due Monday, and a doctor's appointment that day after art history which would take a good amount of time out of the day. Also, I had the Worship night on my mind, hoping we could get it worked out in time.

So I had all those things on my mind. Then I realized that someone I cared about a lot, who had made me feel so special, who would visit me in the studio when I would've been more stressed than if he wasn't there, who let me work on my mid-term still life in his room for 3 days straight, who I had just spent an amazing weekend with, just confessed he didn't want to be with me anymore. I guess that kinda sent me over the edge. Right before class even started, I felt the tears build up behind my eyes, so I ran to the bathroroom to calm myself down and pray. I tried to hide my face with my hair, but I think some people noticed anyway that my composure wasn't normal. But anyways, I sat at the computer to work on my ligatures, feeling very drained and not wanting to be there. I tried to keep myself collected, but everyonce in a while, I would retreat to the bathroom so as not to explode in class and disrupt everyone. I would just hang on to the sink or go into a stall to let out some sobs and tears for a few minutes. Then I would recollect myself at the sink, readjust my hair near my eyes, and return to work.
During the break, I sat outside and my friends gave me hugs to make me feel better. I love them all. Although, it was kind of funny when my friend Matt, who didn't know what was going on, came over and started playing a really sad-sounding song on harmonica. It just seemed to fit the mood I was in, so I broke down, sobbing everything I had left. I think I even tried to say a sentence which came out only in sobs, because they all started laughing at me, not trying to be mean of course, but it must've sounded ridiculous!

Anyways... so the entire day I just felt sad and drained. I didn't feel like eating lunch or being bouncy. And to add to it, I had my follow up at the doctor's, which didn't go very well in the sense that I hadn't been taking my medicine like I was supposed to, which was the whole point of the follow up: to see how the medicine was working. She wasn't very happy with that. So now I have another follow up in two weeks, meaning I have to take the medicine regularly now, and I hate it.

But today, I was feeling much better, though I still can't seem to stop feeling sad. I hope I come out of it soon because it's effecting my appetite and confidence in classes. I haven't been hungry much for anything and I've actually had to force myself to eat lately. I wasn't even in the mood for ice cream last night!

Some of the good things about yesterday:
-Saw my dad and got my interview with him
-Lauren came for the ride to the doctor's and we talked about famous architecture
-the doors to my dorm were both open like all day
-sat with Sammi, Dan, and their friend at dinner (and CJ came later)
-finished my 3D project early- like 10pm!
-Chelsea and Craig suprised me with flowers and candy
-Went to bed early- in bed by 12!

*sigh* Again, another very long entry from me, but this time I couldn't help it! A lot has happened. Today was better, but still kind of not good, even though the weather was amazing and I had fun with friends. If anyone can give me any advice on what to do about this feeling of saddness, I would appreciate it. Or any verses or qoutes to think about would be nice, too.

Thanx for reading if you did. Peace and love.

I shouldn't be stressing out but...too late! Aaah!

I feel very screwed this week...

-2D project: all 45 tracings(8x8in) drawn and inked due tomorrow at 9am (I am currently at 35 with only 5 inked)
-drawing: fully composed, fully developed drawing, with color highly recommended, of something incorporating a tulip due Thursday at 9am (I have not started.)
-Issues in Art Making: Read chapter 4 by Friday (because there is a quis on it!)
-3D: find an object and spray paint it white for Thursday. (I had the object, but it's not gonna work, and I have no way of getting spray paint for Thursday) Also, get 3 images as posibilities for next assignment.
-English: Find topic and start research on it.
-Art History: nothing...yet. Paper coming soon.
-Thursday: 1:00pm-1:30pm Red Caps Interview!

I'm not really sure where sleeping and eating works in though, or breathing.

Happy Be-lated Valentine's Day!

To give you all a run down on what's been going since my last entry, I had an awesome Valentine's Day! I got back from the studio around 4:45 or so and CJ was already there. He was hanging out with Chelsea in her room so it was all cool. I took my shower of course cuz after paper mache-ing for about two and a half hours I felt pretty scrubby. So then I went and gave him his gift, which was a very sorry excuse for a Valentine gift but it was the best I could do. I got him a heart-shaped box of the ceramic kind that said "HUG ME" on it, and I put those chocolate Rollos in it. I had to wrap it in tissues with tape cuz being on campus with no means of getting off it meant I didn't have any real wrapping paper. :( But I did take the time to draw little red hearts on the tissue with a marker and make it look cute and Valentine-ish.
So I gave him that and he gave me a piece of paper with a message on it. It turned out to be the start of a very clever scavenger hunt. One clue would lead me to the next or tell me which of our friends to call for the next clue. Just the fact that he got outside involvement from friends was really cool. One clue even led to my suitemate Chelsea, who I had to hug in order to get a clue from her. For some clues I had to go on facebook, and some clues I had to really stop and think about cuz they were tricky with clever wording. In the end, I had to check CJ's Xanga (online journal) to find which date was a special day for us and repeat what happened as the last step. :)
So that was a lot of fun!
Then we went to dinner at the commons where they had awesome food that the rarely have! CJ was very excited about that because they had a lot of his favorite food like shrimp and good salad and stuff. He's was so cute! ^_^
After dinner, we headed to his dorm so he could give me an actual gift, even though I would've been perfectly happy had the scavenger hunt been the only thing he did. He gave me a white carnation (Yes, with a stem and everything!) and a can of those hazlenut-chocolate-cookie-stick things that look rolled up. Those things are soooooooo good! He had to go to class right after that so I went back to my room to work on stuff. But he had asked me online later if I would be in my room after midnight so he could give me a hug good night when he was done with Hawkapella. I said I probably would be. (I was somewhat suspicious of the question on specific timing, thinking maybe he had something else up his sleeve, but I pretended not to notice.)
Later that night, Chelsea, Craig and I went to prayer meeting in F-comp, or the basement of Craig's place. That was at 10:00. We finished up around 11:30 and Craig was like "Yea, we gotta be back in the room soon" (meaning our dorm). But then he was like "Nevermind we have time"
Chelsea and I looked at each other and started laughing. Craig obviously knew something we didn't. So that further added to my suspicions about CJ. And I had a feeling of what was gonna happen, but I didn't want to spoil the suprise for myself so I didn't push it.
So we got back to C-Comp. I went to my room to do some stuff, then played guitar some. It was getting to be about 1am so I was getting pretty tired and I had a 9:00 class in the morning. Finally, as I was playing guitar in my chair, there was a knock on the door. Chelsea answered it. I saw CJ first, then following him was Hawkapella! They were all like "Where's Alyssa" and such.
So they had me sit in the common room on a stool ( and there were a lot of other people there too, like our suitemates and their friends). They got together in their Hawkapella wayand sang the song "Til There Was You" to me, with Evan doing the verses. I must've had the biggest smile on my face cuz I was so happy! And just when I thought my night coughtn't get any better, CJ stepped forward and sang the last verse! I think I almost cried! He made me feel so special that day that I didn't even want to go to sleep! I gave him a great big hug after they were done and thanked them all for singing to me.
Then CJ came back a bit later cuz I was still up and we hung out for a bit. Then he tucked me in (not really "tucked me in") to bed and kissed my hand and I went to sleep. Awe... It was a wonderful sleep, too, filled with happiness...

So that was my Valentine's Day! *sigh...* I like CJ...

Lyme Disease

My cousin just called me with some bad/good news. She just found out she has Lyme Disease. For me I am saddened by this, but she is actually relieved by it. I'll explain.
She's been running her whole life and is in college now on an athletic, as well academic, scholarship. She is a very driven person, running every day of the week, and still getting her work done. She's basically obsessed with running. So for time now she had been running really poorly, and was lagging at practice and not making her times at all! She was so upset about it because she couldn't figure out what was wrong. When I talked to her over the winter break, she was still in the waiting process for blood work and tests. I remember her telling me that she hoped it was Lyme because it would explain what was wrong with her running. All I could think was "I hope you don't have it! You're family and I couldn't imagine you with a disease. I never would want that for you!" How could someone hope for a disease? But I understood where she was coming from. If she didn't have something, she would just keep stressing about her running.
So now that she found the cause of her problem, she feels a lot better. She's taking it all very well for someone who just found out she had a disease.

In other news...

Cj and I are doing very well. At Bible Study lately, we've been doing the worship songs together on guitar. Fun! And I get to learn new songs that way!

What else... oh, last night some of us watched The Iron Giant. Awesome movie! Very cute and I love how dynamic the character designs are! The animation is incredible and just...ah! the whole movie is so well done, and the story line, too. Humorous, emotional, and overall a great entertaining movie! Highly recommended if you haven't seen it, and even if you have, go see it again!

Well, I've got quite a bite of work ahead of me but... That's not really new. So I hope you have a great day!

Peace and Love!

A Capella Concert

I went to an a capella concert tonight. It was on campus at 10:00 for only a dollar. It was so awesome! I got to see some people I know perform (one person in particular ^_^). Plus, my dad happened to be in the Hartford/West Hartford area and came with me to see it. I don't see or talk to my family that much with work and activities and all. So it was nice to spend some time with my Daddy! And a lot of my friends were at the show so he got to meet them. He also got to meet my CJ. After the totally amazing, I asked what my dad what he thought of him. The answer was something along the lines of... "I can tell he's a nice guy" or "a good kid" or something... so that meant he liked him, even though it was a very brief introduction.

So tomorrow I might go to see The End of the Spear with some friends from bible study. That should be good fun! ...especially if we get transportation! Then comes the stressfulness of the weekend for which I have a LOT to do. First, I have to get at least three plates (as in "templates" I suppose) done for 2D, in which I have a simplified outlined of an image and have to glue strange or interesting materials to it in a specific way. There wil be six total, but I need three done for Monday. Also for Monday, I must have some stories read for English. I think there might even be some questions to do, but I'm not sure. And I also have to find still life objects for a drawing assignment in tuesday's class. And of course there is church on Sunday. There will be other little things I have to do also, but for now I have to work on my Issues homework and finish up my application for Red Caps.

Peace and love kids!

Little Blessings Bring Awesome Days

Wow! I had such an amazing day! I have to tell it from the beginning all the way to the end because it is just so unbelievable how awesome God is! He does so many great things in our lives that we praise Him for, but so often we do not recognize all the small blessings He sends. Today, my Lord and Friend must've wanted me to have the best day possible, and He succeeded in giving me one.

It started in this morning, after a nice breakfast with my spiritual sister, Chelsea, and a much pre-meditated bowl of Rice Crispies. We sat with my friend, Jamie, who is one of my many wonderful classmates. She and I headed to class as Chels parted for hers. My drawing assignment had been a 15x22 inch graphite "painting," which was a new concept for most of us to understand because... How do you paint with a pencil? So after having looked up the suggested artists some days before, I saw that our teacher was looking for as realistic as possible. This is very intimidating because he is a well-developed atist and has had great success in his career. Aslo, I had heard many stories from other students about what a hard teache he is. If that is true, I am both scared and excited.

The assignment called for at least 10 hours of work, but I put in well over the required amount of time, getting almost only 2 hours of sleep one night. So today was the critique, and I had no idea what to expect. To my suprise, he let each of us talk about our own piece a little bit, telling what lead us to do it what we did in our pieces. It was interesting to hear that, as a class, we were striving to get out of our normal way of doing things and try to change our approaches for the growth from last semester. Jeramiah(teacher) thought that was a good thing, too. But he also informed us of what we were all doing wrong. Ever one of us (with one exception) had played it safe with empty backgrounds of solid color, black or whit or gray. He mentioned something along the lines of it being fear that kept us from stepping out of our comfort zones, where we play it safe with what we know will work, and not challenging ourselves in that sense.
I had been hoping for individual critique, but this was a good start, and I it was a way for Jeramiah to break some of the ice with us. Overall, very inspiring feeling I got from that class.

After that I got my paintings back from Harriet, my 2D teacher from last semester. Then I went back to my dorm fo a bit to drop my stuff off. After that I went to Issues in Art Making where we watched a wonderful video/documentary of different contemporary artists and got some different perspectives and views from them. Their attitudes were reasurring and motivating. So that was a great class! Then I ran to konover (on-campus supermarket) to get flour, then back to the dorm to get my tool box, then to 3D class! Quite in a rush that time, and I did it all within 20 minutes! Woot!

In 3D I was going over my sketches for the upcoming piece, considering materials to use, and what approach I would take, as well as what my intention for the piece would be. I changed my original thought and developed it a bit further, getting some different feed back from my teacher who doesn't really teach (I had her first semester, too... so i kind of know what to expect from her). I don't think she really understood what I was aiming for, but her input was appreciated. I am actually looking forward to this project, too!

My friend Jamie and I decided to go to get some things in the middle of class. I had forgotten newspaper and she needed flour, so we asked our teacher if we could go. She said it was fine. As we were walking, I saw CJ which made me really excited. I gave him a hug and introduced him to Jamie. Then she and I went to my dorm first for stuff + chocolate (Yes, chocolate has its own category!). Then we went to her dorm, then Konover. We must've been gone for a lot longer than expected because the teacher kept staring at us as we worked and class was half over. I stayed for and extra half hour or so to make up for lost time.

After that, I decided to go back to my dorm the way to go past CJ's building just on the off change that he'd be there for me to visit. I called him up and he was there! Yay! So I met up with him. Then we went to dinner with Chelsea, Craig, Jamie, and Jamie's suitemate, Megan. Not our usual group but it was fun. Then I went to the library to enlarge my image for 2D. Jamie was there to help me figure it out. Praise! I hope God blesses her for being so cool! So then I went to Konover for the 3rd time at 8pm for info on being a Red Cap. We played one of those icebreaking name games so that was fun. On my way out I realized that I had forgotten to bring a bag for collecting pinecones which are for my 2D project tomorrow (or today rather). But God was good to me and let me find the ziplock in my jacket pocket that I had left from a different day. Praise again!

Okay, so I got back to the room and was planning to take a shower and go to bed early... But once again, God clued me in on His plan. I just happened to check my email. Craig had sent a last minute reminderfor a prayer meeting in F-Comp. I read it 15 minutes before the time to be there! Quite close! So I gathered up my layers to prep for the cold. Heading out I realized I forgot my gloves and thought "oh well. it's not far. i'll go without them." I put my hands in my pockets for warmth, and wouldn't ya know it! I found my gloves! I had forgotten that I put them there! Woo Hoo! Sing praaaaaaaaaaise!

In Conclusion, Bible study was awesome! And My day was even better! I love God! What a great friend to have blessed me with so many wonderful people and little things! Actually, I thought about how God has worked through me to bless others for Him. And it's just little things, but they all count! Anyway... Sleep is good so I'll rant more later on this experience!

Peace and Love in Him!

The Posse, the Prayer, and the One-Dollar Night

First thing's first:

Savage Living in Oklahoma Check out this woman's blog cuz she was nice enough to mention mine on her page and was cool enough to put the first comment ever on my blog! There's some very interesting stuff to look at, other cool blogs she's found. Those are worth a look as well.

It Is Better To Light A Candle This is one of the links I found on her blog to another blog. It's purpose is so awesome that you should check this one out, too!

Very Full Weekend:
Now I have to tell you about my day weekend! Friday night I had an awesome bible study meeting in a chat room with IVCF people that was scheduled for 9pm. Strangely enough, no one knew how to start it so I finally figured it out. Once everyone joined and we got going, there were many different convorsations going on at once and it was quite confusing. Plus, there were other people IMing me so it was hard to follow along sometimes and respond fast enough to what people were saying. Then my friend, Matt, just sort of came in my front door without warning. Apparently he was meeting my sister, Kaylee, and my friend/her bf, Corey, at our house. Only they were both at Corey's house, not where they said they would be. So I was talking to him for a bit while he waiting for them. Then more friends randomly showed up! Chris and Ryan(aka Stumpy), along with Kay and Cor. So I saved the chat convo and said bye to IVCF peeps and hung out with my semi-posse(there's a huge group of my friends at home that we call the posse). So then they were all gonna leave for a bit, but I talked Stumpy into staying to play Dynasty Warriors4 with me until they got back. So we played that for a while. Then Chris and Matt came back and we hung out and talked for a couple hours. Then Stumpy started saying stuff like "Hey, is it a sin to have sex in a church confessional?" or "What if the priest was on the other side?" but Stumpy is wierd like that, even though he's just joking. Then I was like okay, that was fine for a little while but this is getting annoying, so I told him to stop, which of course made him want to keep talking just to tease me. So he covered my ears, like the wonderful friend he is, and talked as loud as he could. To counter his attack, I burried my face into the couch, ears still covered, and started making high pitch sounds so I couldn't hear him. It was funny, too, because my dog was there and had no idea what I was making all those noises for. Then Stumpy was asking me some questions about Adam and Eve and some other questions pertaining to the Bible, some of which I didn't really know, but he didn't bite my head off for not knowing or harass me about it. So overall it was a cool and random Friday night.

Saturday, I had to go the mall to bring my phone to the Verizon people because, after spilling Full Throttle Energy Drink on it at school about a month ago, it stopped working properly. Well, actually, it worked fine as long as I didn't turn it off, because one I tried to turn it back on it wouldn't unless I took the battery out and put it back in, or if I put the charging chord in.
So I asked my sister, Emily, if she wanted to go. I also had a gift card from Christmas so I figured we could do a bit of shopping. Later she aked if her boyfriend could come also (oh yea. she said yes btw). I said he could, but then she wanted me to call another friend to go so i wasn't left as a third wheel.
Though I didn't mind, she insisted, so I called my friend Lauren. She was busy so I called Chris, even though I know he doesn't like the mall we were going. He said okay. So we picked up Nick, Emy's bf, and then got Chris. When we got to Chris' house, my cousin Joe was there too (he's dating Chris' sister Catherine, who is also Emy's friend...confusing but we're all friends and friends with each other's sibblings and cousins... nevermind ^_^).
Anyway, we all ended up going to the mall, me, chris, em, and nick in my car, and joe and cat in joe's car. Chris and I went to the Verizon place first as the others wandered off to do their own thing. I told the lady what the problem was (the part about the energy drink didn't come up really...) and she put a new battery in it. I tested it just in case, turned it off and attempted to turn it back on. It still didn't work!!! So I told her and she had me leave my phone there for about an hour.
In the meantime, Chris and I went to FYE to look at cd's. We saw our friends, Dave and Rob, there, too!!! So everyone got big hugs from me! Yay! I ended up getting the new Barlow Girl album which has the acoustic version of "Never Alone" and is one of my favorite songs!!! WOO HOO!!! I also got DC Talk, Everclear, and Alien Ant Farm with the 3 for $20 stickers on them, so that was cool.
Then the four of us went to Radio Shack to look at stuff (well... i just wanted to play the keyboard really). Then we went to the pet store cuz I wanted to see the cute animals and look at all the cool stuff. Oh! and i found this squeeky mouse cat toy that was a lot louder than i thought it was going to be so when i squeezed it, i jumped. haha! Awwwwwwwe! Kitties! Bunnies! Doggies! Keeeeeeeeeyyyyy-UTE!!! Then Chris and I went to get my phone. Apparently there was a keypad problem. They ended up giving me a new phone! FOR FREE!!! Verizon is the coolest just for that! So then Chris and I left, while Emily and Nick said they'd get a ride home with Joe. I brought Chris home and then went back to my house.
___Okay... this was the best part of my Saturday besides getting a free phone. I went to my church in Meridan with my friend Wayne, where there was a big worship/prayer night for all the teenagers from the youth groups from other churches in the area. It was pretty cool that our church was hosting it. And it was awesome to see the worship leaders come together and have this one big worship band! My youth pastor's wife was on guitar and vocals, her sister was on keyboard and vocals, one guy as lead guitar(all acoustics btw) and lead vocals, another guy on bass, and another guy on this big drumset. They totally ROCKED, and we all stood and clapped and sang and jumped around for God! We just lifted so much praise to Him that night that it was like Aquire the Fire all over, only with a lot less people and a lot less hours. Then we heard the message of God through the youth leader from one of the other churches. It was very good and based on what the event was supposed to be about, worshiping God and praying from the heart through God's will. Something like that. And he had an interesting story about when he was a teenager, before he was even a Christian, and how God was looking out for him enough to save his life (great story, but maybe i'll write about it more in detail sometime).
So then we had a nice time of prayer individually, then in groups with people we didn't know. It was so cool to hear how much of the same page everyone was on in prayer and thoughts of issues today that we face as Christians. I'm glad I'm not alone when it comes to those things, like being pulled in the direction of culture and peer pressure and whatnot.
___so that was my Saturday!

Sunday I couldn't get to church cuz of all the sleet and icy roads. And considering it's a half hour drive, my dad probably would've said no. But as much as I had been looking forward to it, I did not want to risk getting into an accident. So I didn't do much Sunday (yesterday) except clean out my drawers that I'm taking back to school. I did happen to go bowling that night, though, when the roads were better. I went with Wayne, his sis Niobe(pronounced: Nye-oh-bee), my youth pastor Rob, and his wife Mariah, to bowling where it was $1 night! shoes for a dollar, soda for a dollar, and games for a dollar each! I don't think I've ever seen that many people there before!

So that was my weekend! I'm actually not expecting anyone to read this. I just like keeping a sort of record of times like these, full-of-fun weekends and stuff. If you did read this... why? J/k thank you for your time and caring! It means a lot! Well, I'm off to bed now. It's been a long weekend... Take care!

Peace and love!

The Funnest Dream Ever!

I had the coolest dream last night! Ok well... maybe it wasn't actually that cool but... I was having so much fun! I dreamt that I was back at school, and I was at the art school in the grassy area outside. And for some reason I had a long string of small, light blue balloons, and they were all attached some how so it looked like this blue bubbly-looking snake thing. The front end was attached to a short stick that I was holding. In the very last balloon there was a little jingle bell.
Awe! The whole thing was so cute and fun to look at! It was the awesomest, coolest, long blue jingling thing I ever saw!
So anyway! I was running all over the place with it, laughing and skipping and playing. It was sooooooooooooo FUN! It was like dancing and making happy little music where ever I went! And the sun was shining and it was warm outside and some of my friends looked to see what I was doing. And some of them asked why I was acting so ridiculous, and I just told them that it was so much fun and I couldn't stop. Man was that fun!
Yep! That was my dream! I hope I have it again! I don't think I've ever had that much fun in a dream before. I wonder if it means anything... If anyone who reads this has any idea about it, feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks! Oh yeah! And I'm interested to know if anyone else has ever had a fun or happy dream like this before. Ttyl guys!

Peace and love!

Things I Should Be Doing But...

I've been quite lazy recently.
Today I woke up after 1:00...in the afternoon! Not that I didn't need the sleep, butI had to skip work. I felt pretty bad about it too, but I would've felt so much sicker than I already did if I tried to go. And well, on top of that I didn't have the means of getting there (car).

Okay, so here's a list of things I want to get done before school starts again:
-clean room
-organize the plastic drawers I'll be bringing back with me
-go through the whole book of Colossians and take good notes
-organize some kind of lesson or series of ideas related to Colossians for Bible study next semester
-finish writing out that very important letter
-make a list of all things to pack and/or buy for school
-OH NO! STILL HAVE TO BUY MY BOOKS!!!

Wanna know how much of that I got done today?
You guessed it! I actually played Dynasty Warriors4 on PS2 most of the day. Got quite far too. Then the main guy on my side died and it was game over!

Grrr... darn those addicting video games! Man... and I had defeated so many enemy officers!
Oh, well! Better luck next time...and the time after that...and the time after that...!

Well, life is still confusing, but God is helping me one day at a time, whether I feel Him doing so or not! Thanks for stopping by everyone!
peace and love...

Better is one day, but not today

"A Friend loveth at all times..." -PROV 17:17

"If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." -2PE 2:20-21

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position." -2PE 3:17



Why is life so confusing...? I hate what's been going on lately! All this guilt... all these feelings of sadness... I want to cry, but it hasn't hit hard enough yet I guess. Why do amazing people have to change so much? Not that they become bad people, just that they become more of the antagonist than a friend. *sigh...* On top of it, I couldn't even feel God today... (or yesterday now). I mean I know he's there, but I just felt really crappy today... I really need to stop getting pulled into these 3am convorsations. It's just slump I'll be in for a while or at least until school starts agian. Then I can get it off my chest, hopefully. Either way this is something that will leave a deep scar in my heart. I just pray that God will help it heal in time for next year.

I just want this feeling to go away... : (




Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.
-LEV 19:18

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. -PROV 17:9

MAT 5:41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.


Peace and love, kids...